During the Month of October Confidence is Key Lingerie will be donating $2.00 from every order placed to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. We are honored to get behind such an important cause. We encourage you to give what you can in support of a future without cancer. Here are a few Breast Cancer facts that can be found on our website. This information was gathered from several different Breast Cancer Awareness sources to give you accurate facts.
Breast Cancer Awareness and Facts
Did you know?
- Sadly, one in 11 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 75
- Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer related death of women in Australia
- The commonness of breast cancer has risen over 20% from 1996 to 2006 and the death rate has remained constant in the same period of time
- In Australia in 2006, a total of 12,614 women and 102 men were diagnosed with breast cancer and out of these cases there were 2,643 deaths
What it is
Breast cancer is a swelling in the breast that is caused by uncontrolled growth and abnormal cells. It is most common in women over 50 and although it can occur in men it's very unusual.
Breast cancer begins in the milk ducts or milk lobules of the breast. Non-invasive breast cancers stay within the ducts; invasive breast cancers which are more familiar, occur when the cancer spreads beyond the ducts or lobes to the neighboring breast tissue and may also spread to further parts of the body.
There's no known cause of breast cancer however the possible risk factors include:
- Becoming older
- Having a strong family history of breast cancer
- Early periods or late menopause
- Not breast-feeding
- Not having children
- Taking hormone replacement therapy after menopause
- Being overweight after menopause
- Alcohol consumption
- Taking contraceptive pill
Changes in breast tissue are common symptoms of the disease. These include:
- A change to the size or shape of breasts
- A different shape to nipples
- Dimpled skin
- A rash on or around the nipple
- Discharge from the nipple
- Swelling or a lump in your armpit
- Pain in the breast area
Although 9 out of 10 breast changes don't turn out to be breast cancer it is always sensible to have anything you feel is out of the ordinary checked by your Doctor.
To diagnose breast cancer a doctor will give a physical examination and discuss symptoms and medical history. Other tests include:
- Blood tests, bone tests, chest X-rays
- Ultrasounds and mammograms
- Core biopsy – large needle is used to take a small sample of cells
- Open biopsy – surgical removal of a whole area for testing
- Hormonal tests – when cancer isn't discovered, it can be checked for special markers to see if it responds to hormonal treatment
- Ductogram tests when the nipples have a discharge
Who it affects
The cause of breast cancer isn't known but women are much more likely to get breast cancer than men. Other risk factors are listed above. Although breast cancer cases are much more common in women who are over the age of 50, yet it can happen to both men and woman of all ages.
Preventions
- Early detection is the best way to prevent breast cancer being diagnosed too late
- Get to know the look and feel of your breasts
- For women under 50, doctors advise you do self examinations every Month after your period
- For women aged 50-69, bi-annual mammograms are available through the national breast-screening program
- See you doctor if you notice any breast changes
Treatment
Treatments for breast cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. The type of treatment you'll receive is determined by the type of cancer, how advanced it is and how much it has spread, whether or not you've been through menopause, the results of tests on your cancer cells, you age and general health.
Surgery is the first treatment for most people with breast cancer. A lumpectomy is where a lump is removed and some of the surrounding tissue is taken; a mastectomy is where the whole breast is removed.
Other treatments may include:
- Radiotherapy – destroys cancer cells through radiation
- Chemotherapy – uses medicines to destroy cancer cells
- Hormone treatments – hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can affect the growth of breast cancer cells. Taking hormones to block these hormones can treat some kinds of breast cancer
Get Involved
If you would like to give your help to support breast cancer research to minimise the amount of woman in the world who suffer and/or lose their lives to this unfortunate disease, please follow these links below.
- Make a difference and donate at: http://www.nbcf.org.au/page.asp?category_id=12&page_id=396
- Show your support and purchase a gift for yourself or a loved one from the pink store at:http://www.pinkribbonshop.org.au
- Follow the National Breast cancer Foundation on Facebook and share the important cause with your friends at: http://www.facebook.com/NBCFAustralia
For Further information
| Breast Cancer Australia | www.breastcanceraustralia.org | |
| National Breast Cancer Foundation | www.nbcf.org.au | |
| Breast Cancer Network Australia | www.bcna.org.au | |
| Breast Screen Australia Program | www.cancerscreening.gov.au | 13 20 50 |
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